Wednesday, May 01, 2013
At first, the announcement that two Dubai-based entrepreneurs were bringing a nightclub dedicated to ping-pong, founded by Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon to Dubai was so unexpected that we were momentarily left speechless with wonder. It’s the first venture into entertainment for entrepreneurial brothers Dani and Rami Al Yamour, who spotted one of Sarandon’s clubs in Toronto, Canada, and decided to bring the idea to the Middle East. SPiN had its VIP launch at Wafi last night, with the actress in attendance, as well as Dallas actor Jesse Metcalfe. (Metcalfe will remain in town: he hosts Cavalli Club’s Girls in the City night on May 7.) Up next at the venue is a set by Justin Bieber’s official tour DJ Tay James, who’s hosting a party tomorrow ahead of Bieber’s May 4 and 5 concerts. “I can’t wait to come to the UAE and am very excited to be the first official guest DJ at SPiN Dubai,” James said in a statement. “I am preparing amazing mixes only for the hippest guests at SPiN and I promise everyone that it is going to be a night they will never forget!”
tabloid! grabbed five minutes with the brothers ahead of the club’s opening to find out why they decided to bring their obsession with a 2.7g, 40mm, gas-filled, celluloid, ricocheting round ball with a coefficient restitution of .88 (also known as a ping-pong ball) to the UAE.
How did this come about? Did you approach Susan, what was her reaction?
We always loved ping-pong, so when we came across SPiN in Toronto, we thought that we need to bring this amazing concept to Dubai. We approached Jonathan [Bricklin, SPiN co-founder and Sarandon’s boyfriend] at first and they were thrilled at the possibility.
Your background isn’t in clubs - so why did you decide to open this new business?
We loved the concept of merging recreational sport, fashion, and nightlife, it just made sense. Ping-pong, good food, hip beats and a great atmosphere - that all translated into a business. We are lucky to be working with great partners and the founders at SPiN Galactic and they have helped us make this dream into a reality.
How long has this been in the works?
Since about August/September last year.
Are you fans of table tennis?
Yes, from a very young age. We won some amateur competitions as well and are fans of it -- but just recreationally.
What’s your top score?
One doesn’t really know how good they are at ping-pong until they play someone better.
Who do you expect to go to Spin?
SPiN Dubai is for everybody, it’s the alternative to the status quo. It brings a unique twist on ping-pong and the nightlife scene in the region. Our focus will be to provide exceptional service, in a fun, relaxed, unobtrusive place where you can let your hair down and let loose. We expect that celebrities who are in town and who enjoy ping-pong will naturally want to come. SPiN has something for all and so we expect very diverse groups of people to come and look forward to welcoming them.
What if I can’t play table tennis - should I still go to SPiN, and why?
Of course you can. SPiN Dubai is the ultimate nightlife experience as it is not only a place for ping-pong. It is also a place where people can unwind after work and party to the early hours, while enjoying great F&B and shisha options. Have you ever watched an intensive ping pong match? It’s very entertaining!
And if you don’t know how to play and want to learn, you can also get some pointers from our staff who will always be ready to assist you so that you can play.
Will there be a ladies night or theme nights? Will you be bringing international DJs? Will there be competitions?
Yes to all of the above. [Concept nights include Full Moon/Half Moon Sundays, a glow-in-the-dark ping-pong party and SMASH! Wednesdays, a ladies night with drinks from 9pm to midnight. Friday is competition night with The Dirty Dozen, where 12 of the UAE’s best ping-pong players battle it out for a trophy.]
Is it ping pong or table tennis?
It was originally called Wiff Waff but both definitions work.
Don’t miss it
Entry to Tay James at SPiN is subject to the door policy. Doors open from 6pm to 3am; call 04-3707707 or email reservations@spindubai.com for table bookings.
By Natalie Long tabloid! Editor
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
